Packers defense has hideous streak it can’t overcome

The Green Bay Packers defense is in the midst of one of the longest active streaks in the NFL — and it’s not a good one. 

The Green Bay Packers defense is in the middle of one of the longest active streaks in the NFL, but it’s a disheartening statistic for the leading NFC North team.

Their 3-1 record might masks the fact that the Packers defense has allowed 16 straight red zone trips that have resulted in touchdowns, which is the longest active streak for this statistic. Over the past four weeks, the Packers have played the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Packers only lost that Week 1 game in a 38-3 bloodbath, but the team has managed to outscore their opponents in every game since then. The Packers have scored at least 27 points in each subsequent game, but their Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals has gotten off to a slow start. After their 16th consecutive failure to get a stop in the red zone, the Packers defense raises red flags about the potential playoff future of this team.

Packers defense maintaining alarming streak in the NFL

The Packers have demonstrated that they are well-aware of their defensive woes, with a major roster add in recently-released middle linebacker Jaylon Smith. When talks of a Stephon Gilmore trade became known, Packers wide receiver Davante Adams openly recruited him over Instagram.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, “the Packers had been exploring ways to acquire Gilmore” but were unable to recruit him due to salary cap limitations. While Smith and Gilmore are easily two of the biggest mid-season free agent pickups in 2021, the fact that the Packers were interested in the linebacker and cornerback demonstrates concern about the defense’s overall performance.

However, it should be noted that the season is still early, and it often takes NFL defenses time to develop chemistry with a constantly-rotating cast of players. What shouldn’t be lost in the mix is that Packers rookie cornerback Eric Stokes is PFF’s highest-graded rookie cornerback.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1440506220268294149?s=20

Stokes’ play is promising and offers the Packers something to build on as they work towards another season conquering the NFC North. With Smith directing the defense and Stokes developing as a rookie, the Packers defense can take this streak in stride and learn from their early-season errors.